Post by Ishikawa Rini on Nov 19, 2024 1:45:52 GMT
Intrinsically, Rini knew what the two orbs before her meant.
You must choose.
Rini stared at the two options, then back at Kaguya-hime.
“I can’t!” she protested.
You must.
“I won’t!” Rini countered vehemently. “I would rather fail than choose!”
Hayleigh-san… I see your fear easily. You fear failure, of course, but there is a fear of being seen only as an extension, or new version, of your parents. It is a long and deep shadow you live in. I am certain it feels like you have a mere candle beside two towering beacons. You fear they have laid the path before you, will not allow you to deviate, trapping you forever in their orbit.
Still you are yet young enough that your path is not set. You have a chance to be everything that came before you and more. But would the Gladiatrix title around your waist give you what you so clearly want? With parents such as yours, I doubt they would see it as more than a participation prize.
Wynne-san… I had to ask my friends if my English was so bad that I could not understand you. It is not, so I must question why you never speak plainly. There is a moonlight edge to you that gives me hesitation… That you are one of the vaunted Iron Maidens of Imperial, the last before my Maasu, gives me further respect for you as an opponent. I know to treat you wary.
What is your goal in your return? Perhaps you wish to make up for losing your chance at gold last year? Do you hide your shame with your riddles? Wynne-san it is not for us to grant you forgiveness for whatever failing you have committed by laying down for you. And we shall not.
Rosa-san… You still hide. I have seen more of you though, so now I understand why. You have had only yourself to rely on, only yourself to protect you, for so long that reaching out, opening yourself to criticism. It must wound a thousand times worse than I could imagine. There are threats to you everywhere that you must be alert to… I pity you, Rosa-san. I wish you had someone that could give you the care you so desperately need to truly blossom. I wish you did not need to fear.
I remain true to myself, no matter the outcome. I respect Rosa DeLuca’s abilities, and I feel that any one of us could easily tip the scales in our favor. Will it be me? Perhaps. I do not pretend to know how skilled my opponents are with the weapons they were given, but I know mine well.
This time, the challenge for the Gladiatrix championship will be different. I do not aim for the moon and hope to land among the stars if I miss. I aim for the North Star, which guides the night sky. I defend those who cannot defend themselves.
In the name of the Moon, I will not be defeated!
Well howdy there pardner.